Dolomites, Italy
June 13 - 20, 2026
Set apart from the rest of the Alps, the jagged pinnacles of the Dolomites mark the boundary between Italy and Austria. The cuisine, the languages (German and Italian) and the dual place-names reflect the blending of these two cultures. These mountains of the Tyrol were once Austrian but since World War I have been Italian. Within the shadows of these towering limestone peaks lie picturesque hamlets of Alpine "hof" (farmhouses), high-steepled churches, and flower strewn meadows of gentian, alpen rose and crocus.
For the week, we will be located in the "Altipiano del Renon" (the "high flat area of Renon"), an ideal location for exploring this stunning landscape.
Gondolas will sometimes carry us to higher altitudes where we will hike trails through larch, pine, spruce and through alpine pastures of grazing cattle. Dominating our views will be craggy, snowy peaks and vertical walls of dolomite rock. Fresh air and beautiful light are our daily staple.
Our hikes are of varying difficulty but generally in the moderate range with elevation gains of 500-1,500 ft. and average distances of 6-7 miles. Daytime temperatures average 60 - 85 degrees with possible cooler temperatures at high altitudes.
Time spent in the gateway city of Bolzano/ Bozan gives us an opportunity to enjoy medieval arcades, Gothic architecture, tile patterned roofs and the Archaeological Museum where Otzi (the 5300 yr. old man found preserved on a Dolomite glacier) is displayed.
Day by Day Overview
Saturday, June 13
Meet Karen and Patrizia (our guide) at the train station in Bolzano/Bozen (this is the Italian/German name for the town) in the main hall (ticket hall) at 4:30PM. From here we will take a bus to Collalbo/Klobenstein and the Dolomiten Hotel - www.hoteldolomiten.com. Collalbo is about 3,500 ft elevation. Get settled and explore the village on your own.
Sunday, June 14
We start our day from the hotel, walking an easy path through the town of Longomoso-at one time a stopover for the Teutonic Knights. Our woodland path gives us views to the "People Pyramids", Gothic churches, and long views of pasture land and fields of flowers. We walk back to Collalbo.
Monday, June 15
Today we leave our hotel on a path that transverses field and woods. The view of the impressive Rosengarten range of the Dolomites is always with us. We will have interesting stops along our route today: the Bee Museum-the oldest surviving "maso" of the area-a typical farmhouse including dwelling, hay barn and stable ( www.suedtirol-it.com/renon-en/apiculture-museum.htm ); The afternoon introduces us to the "apple experience" of South Tyrol: tasting & identifying various varieties. Then return to Collalbo.
Tuesday, June 16
A bus will take us to another area of the Dolomites today. Castelrotto, an alpine village (3,500ft) with lots of character is base for exploration of the Alpe di Siusi region. Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest high alpine meadow( 6,000ft), separates two of the most famous Dolomite ski resort valleys. We use a cable car to reach higher elevations today. Views here are of the Sasso Lungo Mountains at the head of the meadow and the Schlern Peaks. We experience both meadow walks and altitude walks today. Return to Collalbo by bus.
Wednesday, June 17
This is a "town day". We take the narrow-gauge train, then cable car down the mountain to Bolzano. At 10:00 a.m. we will visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to the famous 5000-year-old "Ice Man"-we have a specialist guide. http://www.iceman.it/en
Lunch/shopping from 11-1PM followed by a guided town walk of Bolzano. Bolzano is considered the gateway to the Dolomites. https://www.italia.it/en/south-tyrol/bolzano/guide-history-facts
Bus back to Collalbo.
Thursday, June 18
Our bus will take us to the cable car which will "lift" us to 6,600ft. Then an hour's walk accompanied by spectacular Dolomite scenery takes us to the "Corno of Renon". (Corno=horn; Renon=name of area). Then we may walk or bus back to our hotel through scented pine forest and alpine meadow.
Friday, June 19
By bus we will reach the town of Ortisei. This valley is widely known for its accomplished wood carvers. Our comfortable path along an old train-way leads us across Santa Christina and Selva Gardena (the three charming villages of the Val Gardena Valley. Again, we have stunning views of mountain peaks, castles, village churches and "solitaries malga" (shepherd's huts in the Alps). This valley bursts with tradition, culture and character. Our bus will return us to Collalbo.
Saturday, June 20
We leave Collalbo this morning after breakfast to be at the Bolzano train station by 10:00a.m. If you need an earlier departure, a taxi can be arranged.
Notes: Our hikes each day are 6-7 miles. This is the Italian Alps and so some of the hikes have significant elevation changes. For the hikes with the greatest altitude gain, we take a gondola/lift part way. While elevations change during our week from valley to high mountain meadows the actual hiking elevation range is from 500 ft to 1,500 ft. The highest elevation we reach is 7,000'. To enjoy this trip, you should hike regularly in the months prior to the trip, include hills and be prepared for a great week of hiking!
We leave Collalbo each morning around 9:00 AM. Our breakfasts and dinners are at the hotel with the exception of one dinner on your own. A picnic lunch is provided by the hotel each day with the exception of one lunch on our Bolzano day.
Please Note: The above schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
